Extent of Ferns player revolt revealed
WELLINGTON: A review into New Zealand Football reveals 12 Football Ferns players said they would not play for the Ferns again if Andreas Heraf, who faces allegations of bullying, remained coach.
In a report released yesterday, the sport’s governing body found NZ Football had to share some responsibility, as complaints raised by some of the Football Ferns players were genuine and ‘‘largely substantiated’’.
The report was produced after complaints about Heraf by players, and then growing concerns about the culture within parts of the setup.
The review by Phillipa Muir — a leading employment lawyer and partner at Simpson Grierson — found Heraf had ‘‘breached NZ Football’s code of conduct, human resources policy on harassment and WorkSafe New Zealand’s bullying guidelines’’. It said 12 players — including some of the team’s most senior and experienced members — said they would not play for the Ferns again if Heraf stayed on as coach.
‘‘They all said that this was incredibly hard stance to take, as playing football for their country is their No 1 goal,’’ the review said.
‘‘They were prepared to put their careers as international players on the line over this.’’
Muir said in her view, the players’ stance showed just how strained the relationships had become. She said she found the complaints from the 12 players were ‘‘genuine and largely substantiated’’.
Heraf’s behaviour was repeated, and had a ‘‘detrimental effect’’ on staff and players, the report said.
Muir’s review said that the governing body shared responsibility because it did not investigate concerns raised by staff following team tours, with complaints ‘‘ignored or downplayed’’.
NZ Football had also not sufficiently supported Heraf when he came to New Zealand from overseas, the review said.
‘‘While grassroots football and the relevant programmes delivered by New Zealand Football appear to be in great shape, I have significant concerns around the high performance environment and some of NZ Football’s structure, processes and resourcing, in particular in human resources and recruitment,’’ Muir said in a statement.
‘‘There has not been sufficient focus by the organisation on player welfare, particularly for its high performance teams, in recent years.’’
Muir said her review should not be seen as a criticism of ‘‘robust coaching’’ in a highperformance sports environment.
NZ Football President Deryck Shaw apologised to all the individual players who complained. He said he would meet them personally to discuss the review findings.
Shaw said NZ Football would implement the findings and recommendations of the review.
‘‘We are committed to working with players and staff to improve player welfare, and to rebuild trust and engagement among players, staff and key football stakeholders.’’ — RNZ
LONDON: Manchester United was held to a 00 draw by Valencia in a dour Champions League Group H clash at Old Trafford which piled more pressure on its underfire manager, Jose Mourinho, amid reports linking former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane to his job.
The result left United second in the group on four points from two games, two behind leader Juventus, which maintained its perfect start with a 30 home win over Young Boys. Valencia has one point and Young Boys none.
The atmosphere at Old Trafford was rather flat as United lacked any bite in a contest played at walking pace, as the visitor was content to keep the host at bay with crisp onetouch passing.
It was United’s fourth successive winless outing following a 31 premier league loss to West Ham at the weekend, which followed a 11 home draw with Wolverhampton and League Cup elimination by secondtier Derby County.
United is up against Juventus in its next two Champions League games.
Meanwhile, Manchester
City manager Pep Guardiola described David Silva as ‘‘one of the best players’’ he has managed after the midfielder scored a dramatic late winner in City’s 21 win over Hoffenheim.
Silva capitalised on an 87thminute defensive error by Stefan Posch before finishing into the far corner to give his side its first points in the competition this season.
City climbs to second in the table, while German side Hoffenheim, playing in the Champions League for the first time this season, is bottom.
A depleted Real Madrid suffered a shock 10 defeat at CSKA Moscow, extending a poor run of form for the holder that has left it without a win in three games.
A brilliant victory for the Russian side, however, was marred in the final stages of a highly charged game in the Luzhniki stadium when CSKA keeper Igor Akinfeev was sent off for a second yellow card seconds before the final whistle.
The result continued a dismal streak for Madrid, which has won only two of its last five games in all competitions.
CSKA tops Group G on four points, one clear of AS Roma in second and Real in third.
In English football, Southampton knocked Everton out of the League Cup 43 on penalties after the third round tie at Goodison Park had ended 11. — Reuters